From where I was sitting....

[Umair1]

Since when can a big man move and not get a foul? Supposed to plant your feet bucko.

Thats not what I said. I said Yao didn't even contest those lay-ups by Roy. He backed off purposely to avoid fouling. There were some missed calls that shouldve went Portland's way late in the game, overall reffing was bad though. I remember one time when Oden shuffled his feet under the rim, and they missed the traveling call.

 

[The Sebastian Express]

That will never happen. And I've heard the Garden get plenty loud.

Oh I know it will get loud, but it just wont ever get as loud as the MC because of how it is built.

 

[Natebishop3]

Thats not what I said. I said Yao didn't even contest those lay-ups by Roy. He backed off purposely to avoid fouling. There were some missed calls that shouldve went Portland's way late in the game, overall reffing was bad though. I remember one time when Oden shuffled his feet under the rim, and they missed the traveling call.

You're right about the Oden thing, but I swear Roy had a few of those shots contested with no call, which is fine, but I wish they would have called it that way on the other end. I'm all for physical playoff basketball, but not when it's called only one direction.

 

[ehizzy3]

You're right about the Oden thing, but I swear Roy had a few of those shots contested with no call, which is fine, but I wish they would have called it that way on the other end. I'm all for physical playoff basketball, but not when it's called only one direction.

i agree. scola damn near raped aldridge, but pryz was getting touch fouls on yao

 

[retroblazers]

it doesn't matter if yo udon't contest layups with your hands, yao was hitting him with his body on every one of those early drives. the fact that he put his hands up and out of the way doesn't mean he didn't still foul him with his body, which he did every time.

 

[AgentDrazenPetrovic]

Rizzle, serious question...

When we play in Round Two, what are the chances I can get a single seat inside Staples? And make it out alive? Is there a Ticket marketplace like for the Blazers?

I'm getting a single seat. My neighbor has one seat he said he'll sell me for about face value that's 3 rows from the floor, behind the basket.

The crowd there was pretty good and respectful though. Its walking to your seats and back to your car you have to worry about.


Making it out alive is another question. Its seriously pretty dangerous.


I only plan to go to Staples if its a game 5 elimination...games 1 and 2 I won't go to.....too heated and too much shit talking, I won't be able to control myself. I can check on the ticket and probably get you a deal on it if it happens. I'm pretty sure its only going to be face value if I'm going to the game...otherwise he can probably get $400+ for it on the open market and I'm sure he'd rather have that.

 

[mgb]

I'm just saying the atmosphere during the opening introductions was NOT what it used to be. People cheered, but it felt like any regular season game to me. Maybe that's partially because the team didn't do anything to distinguish this as a playoff game. Pretty much just the same introductions. Kinda boring.

Wow are you sure you were at the Blazers game? You couldn't hear during the intros. It was LOUD! The same any time the BLazers gave us any reason to be and even some times when they didn't. Sure after a bit when the Blazers were down double digits, which was right off actually, it wasn't as loud, but even then we we made semi runs it got loud and would have got crazy if we manage to get near the lead.

 

[alex42083]

I thought the crowd was fine, and was ready to explode if something good ever happened. Even the best of fans get deflated when seeing Houston drain jumper after jumper.
The Blazers gave us nothing to cheer about from the opening tip and going down 7-0 immediately. It was the worst possible scenario for a crowd that just was itching to see any hope.

But my beef is with the tickets as well. I saw several empty seats in the 300 level, most likely from scalpers who couldn't sell their share. Fuck you guys. The ticket thing has turned into quite the embarrassment, especially for fans who WANT to go the game but can't afford it because idiots see it as an opportunity to profit.

 

[pakman22]

I watched on TV, but I thought the crowd did more than its job. Blazers were down 20+ and were still getting loud everytime they scored a 2... when at the same time Brooks was hitting 3's. They seemed optimistic although the window of opportunity had already closed.

 

[RISE WITH IT]

Thanks for telling us that we suck at cheering. It was also wrong to acknowledge one of the best coaches in the history of portland basketball, and one of the best players in the history of duck basketball.

 

[Nikolokolus]

The calls were bad for the Rockets as well. Yao was clearly set outside the paint and drew a CHARGE, but they called a blocking fall.

He wasn't set and his trailing foot was dragging when Rudy made contact. No charge.

 

[Stevenson]

Guys, the fans in the 100 level, centercourt, were fucking terrible. They barely clapped. All the real fans were in the 300 level (big surprise), and that's where most of the chants came from. I'm just saying, it's been louder in the Garden. I was not impressed.

You know, that is BS, a gross generalization, and really has no basis in fact. How do yo KNOW that the "real" fans are in the 300 level? From where I sit, the lower bowl fans are just as rabid as those above, and maybe even more committed. They shell out big bucks to be there.

The fans were great last night. We were even chanting "Lets go Blazers" loudly before introductions!

That said, the team has to give you something to work with as a fan.

 

[Natebishop3]

You know, that is BS, a gross generalization, and really has no basis in fact. How do yo KNOW that the "real" fans are in the 300 level? From where I sit, the lower bowl fans are just as rabid as those above, and maybe even more committed. They shell out big bucks to be there.

The fans were great last night. We were even chanting "Lets go Blazers" loudly before introductions!

That said, the team has to give you something to work with as a fan.

Other than the fact that I was SITTING in the 100 level, and I could HEAR where the chants were starting, which was in the upper areas. I could SEE the fans in the lower areas because I was sitting near them. Most of the people near my seat were more concerned with getting up and buying beer every 15 minutes than they were the game.

 

[Wheels]

Just a couple thoughts from the game tonight...


6) I hope all you Duck fans are happy. There is no reason to cheer for Aaron Brooks before the game. He is the fucking enemy. Your Duck drove a dagger through the Blazers' heart tonight. Bravo. Maybe he won't get quite so many cheers next game, eh?

I agree on that one.. people cheered for him, and scoffed at me when I yelled, it doesnt matter where he played in college here.. he is on the other side now. Just like Brandon, doesnt matter where he came from now.

 

[RoyToy]

The 300 level where I was sitting was rocking. I thought right before the game started the whole arena was pumped. When they showed the Blazers in the back right before they came out all the fans were standing and cheering. I mean everyone. Then during the Rockets introductions everyone in the arena was standing and chanting "Lets go Blazers".

If anyone came out flat tonight it was the damn team. The fans were ready to explode but the Blazers came out and went down 2-11 within the first 2 min of the game.

 

[Natebishop3]

I agree on that one.. people cheered for him, and scoffed at me when I yelled, it doesnt matter where he played in college here.. he is on the other side now. Just like Brandon, doesnt matter where he came from now.

Exactly. We don't want Brooks feeling comfortable here. He's young. We want him nervous and scared of the fans. Instead everyone let him know that this was home. That he was loved. The arena didn't affect him at all, and thus he had a great game.

 

[Natebishop3]

The 300 level where I was sitting was rocking. I thought right before the game started the whole arena was pumped. When they showed the Blazers in the back right before they came out all the fans were standing and cheering. I mean everyone. Then during the Rockets introductions everyone in the arena was standing and chanting "Lets go Blazers".

If anyone came out flat tonight it was the damn team. The fans were ready to explode but the Blazers came out and went down 2-11 within the first 2 min of the game.

I had a thought last night. I've always sat in the 300 level for the playoffs before last night. I'm wondering if maybe it's louder up there because you're closer to the roof? I expected it to be louder because I was closer to the floor, but I was disappointed. Can anyone else comment on this?

 

[Wheels]

Exactly. We don't want Brooks feeling comfortable here. He's young. We want him nervous and scared of the fans. Instead everyone let him know that this was home. That he was loved. The arena didn't affect him at all, and thus he had a great game.

Well that and we let him do whatever he wanted on offense..

 

[RoyToy]

Exactly. We don't want Brooks feeling comfortable here. He's young. We want him nervous and scared of the fans. Instead everyone let him know that this was home. That he was loved. The arena didn't affect him at all, and thus he had a great game.

Haha, the fans had no effect on his game. Now you just sound like KingSpeed with that type of analyzing.

 

[RoyToy]

I had a thought last night. I've always sat in the 300 level for the playoffs before last night. I'm wondering if maybe it's louder up there because you're closer to the roof? I expected it to be louder because I was closer to the floor, but I was disappointed. Can anyone else comment on this?

All I know is I was yelling as loud as I could and I couldn't hear myself. It was freaking loud.

In the 1st Q after every made basket for the Blazers the people all around me would stand up, yell/cheer, then sit back down and do it over and over. Once it got into the 2nd q people started losing the will to do it just a little bit, and in the 2nd half people were just shaking their heads.

 

[Natebishop3]

Haha, the fans had no effect on his game. Now you just sound like KingSpeed with that type of analyzing.

If they did, I'm scared to see what he does to us in Houston.

 

[MAS RipCity]

We must front Yao. Bottom line. Oh yea, find a way to win in their arena too!

 

[MAS RipCity]

Also, I should say I had to restrain myself from leaving in the 3rd...it was almost too hard to handle. It hurts watching your team get drubbed, let alone in my 1st playoff game ever, but somehow managed to stay. What a night!

 

[Natebishop3]

Also, I should say I had to restrain myself from leaving in the 3rd...it was almost too hard to handle. It hurts watching your team get drubbed, let alone in my 1st playoff game ever, but somehow managed to stay. What a night!

Same Mas. I was actually surprised how many people stayed. Most fans didn't start filing out until like 4 minutes left in the 4th.

 

[The Professional Fan]

Just a couple thoughts from the game tonight...

1) The Blazers really dropped the ball with the way they handled the tickets. There were groups of empty seats all over the arena. There were four seats right by where I was sitting. You fucked up guys.

2) The fans sucked tonight. I've been to a number of playoff games in my day. I saw the Blazers play the Jazz. I saw the Blazers play the Lakers (numerous times). The Garden was very quiet tonight. I've been there when it was so loud you couldn't even hear yourself speak during the introductions. That wasn't the case tonight. I don't know if it's because there's a lot of new fans there, or if this city has lost some of its passion, but I was severely disappointed. Some of the regular season games had more intensity than this. I realize the team was terrible, and that sucked some of the energy, but I felt the fans were flat from the get go.

3) Joel can't guard Yao.

4) Brandon was the only guy who showed up tongiht.

5) The refs were fucking terrible. They didn't call it both ways. Brandon got contact on multiple occassions at the beginning of the game, but they didn't call it. Yet, every time Houston had the ball, there was the refs making the call.

6) I hope all you Duck fans are happy. There is no reason to cheer for Aaron Brooks before the game. He is the fucking enemy. Your Duck drove a dagger through the Blazers' heart tonight. Bravo. Maybe he won't get quite so many cheers next game, eh?

I'm sure I'll think of some other things, but man...... what a shitty game. Really deflating. The guys came out flat, and never recovered. Some of that was the officials, but mostly we just didn't show up. Oden did some good though. I think we should start him next game. Fuck it. Give the big guy some burn.

I was SO FUCKING PISSED OFF that Brooks received that kind of ovation. PATHETIC! I was trashing all Duck fans after that. I expect more from Blazer fans. Really.

Other than that, I thought the energy in the building was high. Higher than a regular season game for sure. At least it was for the first half. After that, it was a just a joke and I wouldn't expect much energy from the crowd.

 

[Tince]

We must front Yao. Bottom line. Oh yea, find a way to win in their arena too!

I agree on fronting Yao, but that would require having someone who can stay in front of Brooks.

I also think if we're going to front, we should put LMA at center, that way Yao can't camp out in the middle of the key on the other end.

 

[Natebishop3]

I agree on fronting Yao, but that would require having someone who can stay in front of Brooks.

I also think if we're going to front, we should put LMA at center, that way Yao can't camp out in the middle of the key on the other end.

With the way Brooks was shooting though, staying in front of him is only half the battle.

 

[Tince]

I was SO FUCKING PISSED OFF that Brooks received that kind of ovation. PATHETIC! I was trashing all Duck fans after that. I expect more from Blazer fans. Really.

Other than that, I thought the energy in the building was high. Higher than a regular season game for sure. At least it was for the first half. After that, it was a just a joke and I wouldn't expect much energy from the crowd.

Why? Were you pissed when AC Green got a loud applause during the 2000 WCF? Were you mad when Rick Adelman got a nice hand before the game?

 

[Tince]

With the way Brooks was shooting though, staying in front of him is only half the battle.

I agree. If we respect his shot, and front Yao, he'll coast straight to the rim for uncontested layups.

 

[Natebishop3]

Why? Were you pissed when AC Green got a loud applause during the 2000 WCF? Were you mad when Rick Adelman got a nice hand before the game?

AC Green was a veteran. He was a role player on that team. Whether the fans like or dislike him probably didn't make much difference. Aldeman is a coach. Aaron Brooks is a young starting point guard. Arenas can effect the way a young player performs, especially in the playoffs.